Bankers strike work against merger

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 22

On a call given by the All India Bank Employees Association and Bank Employees’ Federation of India, bank employees observed a strike here on Tuesday.

They are protesting the merger of banks. Besides, bankers are up in arms about disinvestment. They have been demanding banking reforms, recovery of bad loans and stringent laws against defaulters.

The bank employees held a rally in front of Punjab and Sind Bank in Lajpat Nagar here.

Addressing a gathering, Amrit Lal, secretary, Punjab Bank Employees’ Federation, Jalandhar unit, said the decision to merge banks was neither in the interest of bankers nor the general public.

“It will result in the closure of branches. Besides, employees will be transferred and it will add to non-performing assets,” he added.